A building element

ABSTRACT

A building element formed as a sandwich of outer panels (22) made from high strength thin-walled geopolymer concrete (GPC) and a high insulation core material (21) of high-density polystyrene providing thermal efficiency. The outer panels are offset from the core material to provide an edge interconnecting mechanism with adjacent elements and, furthermore, the core material (21) includes surface features/profile (26) that abut/mate with corresponding features in the adjacent core material. A building system utilising the element in block or panel form provides simple and fast construction, without the need of skilled labour. Furthermore, since the insulating core provides a locking and locating interconnection means between the elements this effectively results in a zero-loss system due to bridging. When combined with a compressive vertical tie bar system the outcome is a wall construction of exceptional strength and accuracy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an insulated building element, e.g. block orpanel, having interconnecting features and, particularly, a system andmethod of constructing a wall of such blocks/panels. In use theinvention provides for simple and fast assembly by unskilled workersfrom a single component to erect housing or other building structures.

Description of Related Art

Across the world the rate of construction for new housing is notsufficient to support population growth. In fact, it is considered oneof the major challenges of the twenty-first century. To adequatelyaddress the problem housing must be produced more quickly, at lower costand preferably without environmentally damaging effects, e.g., as isevident from traditional building that includes the production ofOrdinary Portland Cement (OPC) and the firing of traditional bricks.

Materials are in short supply, as are the skilled artisans necessary toundertake building projects. Furthermore, there is now a greaterunderstanding of the need for a significantly greener approach tomitigate mankind's effects on the planet. It is estimated that themanufacture of OPC and associated building bricks is responsible for upto 20% of all carbon emissions.

As mentioned, the provision of new housing across the world is fallingbehind what populations need, even for the most basic of requirements.This is not only a problem for the developing world, e.g., SouthAmerica, Africa or India; it is also relevant in the UK, North America,and all of the first world. The housing situation is often referred toas a crisis and, as such, is not likely to be solved by continuing tobuild by traditional methods.

New building materials have been proposed. For example, geopolymerconcrete is a relatively new invention that produces a sustainable andworkable concrete with an exceptionally low carbon footprint in aprocess that avoids the use of OPC and the need for the high temperaturefiring of bricks. However, while studied by numerous universities andcompanies, to the knowledge of the present inventor, no truly practicalsystem has been launched that allows this advanced technique to be usedin mainstream construction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a novel insulated buildingelement/block construction that can be implemented across the buildingindustry. Particularly, the invention demonstrates a way forward forgeopolymer concrete and the potential for drastically reducing thecarbon footprint of housing, whilst also delivering a system ofmanufacture and construction that the can be deployed, preferably byunskilled labour including by homeowners themselves, at ratecommensurate with the need.

In a broad aspect the invention provides an insulated building elementaccording to claim 1. The element is of sandwich construction comprisedof a core insulating material (the ‘core’—typically of high insulatingperformance) and two outer surface portions (herein called ‘plates’—ofgeopolymer concrete), where the core material is bonded or fixed withadhesive and/or otherwise fastened to the two outer surface plates. Inits basic form the core and the plates are of the same size and shape.Whilst the plates remain parallel and in alignment with each other, thecore is offset along two sides.

The arrangement is such that blocks (i.e., elements of a size that canbe handled by a single construction worker) or panels (elements ofsimilar profile but larger than blocks) can be simply joinedhorizontally as well as being stacked in a brick bonding method, to forma wall.

Additionally, to provide accurate placement of the elements one uponanother, a surface feature (e.g., in the form of a profile) isintroduced along the edges (e.g. either two opposing edges or all fouredges) of the core. This ensures extremely accurate placement of theelements and also adds to the horizontal resistance to movement.

The profile/surface features may be a series of ridges and/orcorresponding channels, longitudinally or laterally, on upper and lowersurfaces thereof, such that stacked elements (usually in brick bondingform) interconnect with each other.

In the present invention the building elements are manufactured to highlevels of accuracy (i.e., <1 mm tolerances) such that the constructionprocess is deskilled. When combined with a ‘tie bar’ form ofconstruction, the elements can be constructed ‘dry’, without the need toglue or cement any of them one to another, while at the same timeforming exceptionally strong and stable structures.

In a tie-bar system, the elements have a number of holes verticallydrilled/formed through them to enable the introduction of the tie-bars.A base plate is accurately mounted horizontally on a foundation to forma ring beam around the base of the building. Vertical tie-bars (e.g., ofthreaded steel, fiber reinforced plastic or other material) are lockeddown into the base plate via fixings in the base plates. Multiple baseplates are commonly needed for a house or structure and these areconnected one to another via bolted steel side plates that ensures thecontinuation of the horizontal base plate. This single structurerepresents a base level ring beam.

Elements are mounted on the base plates as previously described. At eachfloor level and/or at the roof level (the so called ‘plate level’)another top-plate/intermediate-plate is introduced on top of theelements and this is then screwed down to introduce a compressive forceon the wall forming elements, between the base plate and subsequentlevels. Accordingly, a two-story building will have three substantialring beams made of high strength geopolymer concrete, providingexceptional strength and stability, whilst allowing the elements to bebuilt dry.

A particular advantage of the system is that the insulating core aloneprovides a locking and locating interconnection between the adjoiningelements, effectively providing a zero-loss system due to bridging. Whenthis is combined with a compressive vertical tie bar system the outcomeis a wall of exceptional strength and accuracy that is highly resistiveto any form of cracking or deformity due to ground movement. Theassembled wall can be plastered over or covered by any suitable meansfor aesthetic and additional insulation effect.

With regard to terminology, the building element is most likely providedin a ‘block’ form, i.e., typically a compact, brick-like, unit in thecontext of building components. The invention can alternatively bedescribed as a ‘panel’ if it is in the form of a unit with a largeroutward surface area compared to its width across (i.e., wallthickness). The terms element, block, panel, brick, and cladding can beinterchangeable in the context of the invention.

In an embodiment the core material is formed from high-density expandedpolystyrene (EPS) or an equivalent material that has similar insulatingand strength properties. The outer panels are made of high compressivestrength (i.e., >50 MPa) geopolymer concrete to reinforce the core.Interconnection of the elements is improved by the insulating corematerial having a surface feature and/or a profile on a side edgethereof corresponding to a mating feature of an adjacent element in use.Mating features located on an upper side edge and lower side edge of thecore material respectively enable stacked building elements tointerconnect with each other.

In one form the insulating core material includes at least one boretherethrough, for receiving a tie bar and/or fastening rod. A tie barhas application in a wider system. For example, a plurality of buildingelements can be arranged with side edges of the core material abuttingto assemble a wall. Then a base beam, upon which a first row of theplurality of building elements is arranged, can be tied to a cappingbeam located over the assembled wall to provide tension on the buildingelements between the base beam and capping beam.

In one form the outer panels may be pinned together, through the corematerial, to secure the building element in a permanent shape, as analternative or in addition to adhesive bonding with the core material.Furthermore, pinning provides structural integrity, and the relativespatial relationship of the outer panels is maintained in the absence ordegradation of the core material.

An embodiment utilizes an advanced composition of geopolymer concrete ofhigh compressive strength for the outer surface portion, together with ahigh density expanded polystyrene (or other suitable material) core.

The core preferably provides high levels of insulation as well as aninterconnecting and locking system. Overall the building element inblock or panel form is a simple but high quality component for use in awalling process. In a particular form of system the blocks will beprovided in a full size and other smaller size (e.g. half size, quartersize etc.) formats so that a series of full size units can be laid thatare each offset from adjacent upper and lower parallel rows of units. Ahalf size block may be required at alternate row ends to provide astraight edge to the wall. A corner element may be provided to connectmultiple element walls at required angles. Particularly, there may be atleast two types of L-shaped corner units used to connect adjoining wallsat right angles, or another required angle. The L-shaped blocks may havediffering length extensions to be compatible with staggered/offsetlayers of blocks assembled into a wall.

The construction system of the invention significantly reduces carbonemissions compared to traditional building. It allows faster, moreaccurate and higher quality construction at lower cost. In a verypractical way, the invention can help to address the social problems ofhousing shortages while at the same time introducing a more sustainablesystem of building.

Some benefits of the system compared to traditional building are asfollows:

-   -   Using geopolymer concrete reduces harmful greenhouse gasses of        traditional brick and cement manufacture by up to 90%    -   Can be three to four times faster to build than traditional        twin-walled systems    -   Can be built by unskilled workers, thus avoiding the local and        wider issue of skilled labour shortages    -   Likely to cost between 20 and 30% less to build    -   Results in very little waste, with an estimated <5% waste        generated during the manufacture process and almost no waste on        site. Traditional building is estimated to generate >35% waste        on-site alone    -   Built ‘dry’ with no adhesives or cementing of components, thus        no delay in waiting for the structure to dry before commencing        internal work    -   Produces walls for houses that are stronger than traditional        walling    -   Little or no ‘shrinkage cracks’ thus also reducing downstream        snagging and maintenance.    -   System works on the basis of all components being accurate to        within one millimeter, meaning the exact size of rooms is known        before construction begins, enabling the factory manufacture of        nearly all internal and external fittings, further reducing        costs and increasing quality    -   Highly resistive to ground movements, thus a significantly        preferred option in areas prone to seismic or other earth        movements    -   Foundation systems in most cases can be much ‘lighter’ than        traditional systems as the building sits upon, rather than into,        the ground    -   A single block system, not twin-walled, can have exceptionally        high insulation rating, e.g., R values >5 (U values <0.19)    -   Mitigates the significant world-wide material shortage of        bricks, breeze blocks etc.    -   Meets one of the UK government's key housebuilding targets,        i.e., it encourages and significantly simplifies the entry of        small builders into the house building market.

In general terms an embodiment of the invention features a sandwichstructured block or panel building element comprised of a high strengththin walled geopolymer concrete (GPC) outer layer for building integrityand an insulating core of high-density polystyrene providing thermalefficiency. The block also features a unique connecting and lockingmechanism to provide simple and fast construction. The outer layers ofgeopolymer concrete (the ‘plates’) can be accurately manufactured(tolerances <1 mm) as well as being of a high compressive strength,which is advantageous for a thin-walled construction technique.Geopolymer concrete (GPC) can be relatively expensive compared totraditional structural building materials but, in the context of thepresent invention, is utilized as a relatively thin walled element incombination with a wide block of much cheaper insulating material.

The resulting manufacturing accuracy of the elements allows wallingsystems to be fully constructed without the need for the individualblocks/panels to be glued, cemented or otherwise fixed directlytogether. The skill needed by the builder is thereby dramaticallyreduced and this allows building to be completed by unskilled workers atthree to four times the construction rate of skilled artisans withtraditional systems.

The system is also adapted for inclusion of windows. Capping plates canbe provided for surrounding a window opening, where tie bars are thenconnected into the base beam and capping beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily appreciated when considered in connection with thefollowing detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a general view of a building element;

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the building element according to FIG.1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of the building element according toFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a general view of the building element according toFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of building elements accordingto the second embodiment being assembled into a wall; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation section view of an embodiment ofbuilding constructed from building elements according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Advantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings that illustrate various aspects and embodiments of theinvention. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to belimited to the precise details of the embodiments, with variationsapparent to a skilled person deemed also to be covered by thedescription of this invention.

Furthermore, terms for components and materials used herein should begiven a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functionsand features. Descriptive terms should also be given the broadestpossible interpretation; e.g., the term “comprising” as used in thisspecification means “consisting at least in part of” such thatinterpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term“comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term mayalso be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are tobe interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as “vertical”,“horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “upper” and “lower” are used for convenienceof explanation and may be broadly interpreted according to a doctrine ofequivalents. Furthermore, the present description refers to embodimentswith particular combinations of features, however, it is envisaged thatadditional combinations and cross-combinations of compatible featuresbetween embodiments will be possible. Indeed, isolated features mayfunction independently from other features and not necessarily beimplemented as a complete combination.

A building element is illustrated in a basic form according to FIGS. 1,2 and 3. As shown, the element, generally denoted 10, is comprised of acore material 11 and outer surface portions 12, e.g., a pair of plates,one on each side located directly against the core material. FIG. 1 isshown as an exploded view where the core material and plate have asubstantially aligned and equivalent side surface dimension.

However, the core material 11 is bonded and/or otherwise fastened, e.g.,by pinning, between two outer surface panels/plates in an offsetconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, relative to thecore block material 11, outer plates 12 leave an overhang 13 on at leastone, but preferably two edges. In this way adjacent elements can befurther interconnected to form a self-supporting wall structure. It willbe apparent from FIG. 2 that a second like-shaped element 10 can bestacked upon the illustrated element to build a wall of the elements ina vertical direction. Said wall will be steadied in use by theinterlocking nature of the overhanging lower end 13 with a protrudingupper end 14, i.e., the edge of core 11 exposed from between panels 12by virtue of the offset configuration. The bricks could be stacked withdirectly vertical alignment or, more preferably, by the traditionaloffset method used in brick laying where each subsequent layer is offsetfrom the layer below by approximately half a length (as visible in FIG.7).

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates features of an embodiment of a buildingelement according to the invention where an offset outer surfaceportion/panel 22 overhangs two adjoining (lower right side as viewed)edges of a core material 21. The opposite (lower left as viewed) edge 23of plate 22 is offset from a lower exposed edge of the core material,analogous to FIG. 2, and an end (right side vertical as viewed) edge 25of plate 22 is also visible as offset from the core material 21,analogous to FIG. 3. A protruding upper edge 24 of core material 21 isvisible, as is the left side end of core material 21 protruding frombehind plate 22.

The core material includes surface features 26 which take the form of aprofile on the exposed upper surface 24. In effect the profile features26 provide for interconnection with the underside of core material 11 ofan adjacent element when stacked, i.e., as is apparent from FIG. 6 wherethe underside of core material 21 includes mating features 27 forreceiving/interconnecting with the upper profile 26. The features may bea series of ridges and/or corresponding channels, longitudinally orlaterally, on upper and lower surfaces thereof, such that stackedelements interconnect with each other.

Indeed, it will be apparent that a like-shaped building elements 20 canbe stacked on top of each other, either in vertical alignment or, morepreferably in an offset configuration as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As generally shown, the building element 20 is a sandwich constructionconsisting of two thin walled outer plates 22, made from geopolymerconcrete, bonded to a central core 21 of insulation. The plates arelikely to range in thickness between 10 and 20 mm depending on thestrength of the GPC and the specific requirement.

The core material, preferably formed of a block of polystyrene foam withimpregnated graphite for improved insulation, may be bonded to theplates 22. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a rod/fastener/pin is shown tobe driven laterally through core 21, between plates 22, and secured toprovide additional fixing/bonding. Only an end 28 of a pin is visible inFIG. 5 which could include a screw thread and/or driving feature. Fourfixing points are shown but any appropriate number is possible. Such afeature provides stability while bonding adhesives set to a permanentstate and structural integrity in the absence or upon degradation of acore material. However, in principle either method of fixing may beemployed alone.

FIG. 4 also shows a series of through holes/bores 29 in dotted detailwhich represent tubular voids to receive a tie bar for wall constructionas will be described further below with reference to FIG. 7.

All complete units preferably comprise exactly the same components, theonly difference being that of size. While the overall size may alter,the cross width of the connecting cores 21 preferably remainsconsistent. This aspect allows elements of a variety of sizes to beinterconnected without any loss of mechanical or thermal integrity andenables simple, flexible walling design and construction. Further,specialized components may be employed such as end and/or corner unitsthat cooperate with a plurality of assembled building elements to aidconstruction of a wall/building.

-   -   By way of example, elements may be produced in large panel sizes        e.g., 3 m high×2 m wide×0.180 m deep, or in block-type sizes of        500 mm wide×250 mm wide×180 mm deep, or smaller. The element, by        having a common width, will fit together easily and quickly to        provide a highly insulated single piece wall, ideal for the        construction of housing. However, differing standard sizes and        depth panels can also be produced for walls for other purposes        such as internal walls where the panels could be, by way of        example, approximately 100 mm depth.

The design of the exemplified panel/block system exhibits a number ofhighly desirable properties. For example:

-   -   An assembled wall has exceptionally low thermal transmittance        down to a U value of <0.19 with almost zero bridging. This is        achieved by using the insulation core as the main connecting        vehicle. Such an approach could seem surprising since an        insulation like Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is understood to have        little strength of significance. However, when relatively large        areas of a high-density polystyrene are used for positioning        purposes in combination with high-strength concrete cladding,        the combination has proved through testing to be very effective.    -   The plates have a compressive strength typically >50 MPa and are        manufactured to a size tolerance of <1 mm. This exceptional        manufacturing precision, by virtue of the chosen material,        allows the panels (even down to small block sizes) to be built        dry and held in place mainly by a vertical compressive force        introduced by a tie bar system. Clamping the blocks between top        and bottom plates provides for the wall to exhibit the        properties of a single element wall rather than a multi-element        one. This allows much lighter foundations to be employed.    -   The insulation core is profiled which provides two benefits.        Firstly, it further increases the resistance to movement of the        block effectively locking them into place. Secondly, during wall        construction, each block automatically falls into a very        accurately placed position that is pre-determined by the design        and not by the skill of the individual. As a result, anyone can        build with the system to an exceptional accuracy. Wall        construction according to the method/system herein is thereby        completely deskilled allowing unskilled workers, or practically        anyone, to build quickly and accurately using the components        provided. In disaster situations, e.g., where a settlement is        ruined following an extreme weather event, local people can be        involved in building their own housing replacement.

As described, the insulation material 21 (the core of the sandwichpanel) performs the function of both an interconnection between panelsas well as a locating and locking component, e.g., a profile along atleast the top and bottom surface of the core, to prevent movement. Aninfinite number of profiling designs can be introduced to accomplish thesame outcome.

The system allows the panels to be easily interconnected one to theother, both from side to side and top to bottom whilst eliminating anyform of bridging. FIGS. 4 to 6 show profiling on the top 26 and bottom27 faces only, although profiling on all four exposed sides (i.e. thosefaces not attached to a plate 22) is also envisaged. Such surfacefeatures (26/27) allow each block or panel to be built both horizontallyand vertically depending on design or other criteria. For example, in awall using block size elements, more complex designs of constructionssuch as herringbone may be employed.

In an embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIG. 7 a plurality ofbuilding elements 20 (blocks/panels) can be assembled into a wallstructure 30 and secured by use of a tie bar system 31. Particularly,building elements as described above are combined with an upper cappingbeam 32 and a bottom base beam 33 (referred to hereinafter withreference to FIG. 7 as ‘top plates’ and ‘bottom plates’) and a tie bar31 is arranged to extend through the building elements, e.g., throughbores 29 visible in FIG. 3. The tie bars 31 (e.g., a threaded rod orfiber reinforced plastic, etc.) are mechanically fixed into the plate(s)32, 33, typically by screwing or another suitable fixing system. Whenbolted onto the top plates 33, having passed through holes 29 in thecores 21, they provide a significant compressive force on all of theblock/panel elements 20 within the assembled wall 30. This then providesan effective and stable walling system.

In one form both top 32 and bottom 33 plates are made of GPC to avariety of lengths. Most structures will require the adjacent plates tobe joined together and connecting plates (of steel or other materials,not shown) can be employed to ensure the continuation of integrityacross multiple wall assemblies. Such a feature results in anothersignificant advantage.

With the base plates 32 and top plates 33 connected in this way, eachlevel effectively forms a ring beam around all walls of the level, andtherefore a building structure may have two or more ring beams; the topplate (forming one ring beam with adjacent top plates at the same level)being repeated at every floor level such that a typical two-story housewith this system has three ring beams, a three story building has fourand so on. The combined structural system will exhibit a box-like formof exceptional strength, rigidity and resistance to ground movement orfailure.

The erected building rests upon a foundation 34, but this foundation hasmore flexibility of design and can be particularly economical since thebuilding itself provides its own integral support.

The illustrated system is adapted for inclusion of windows (notillustrated). For example a window opening can be formed by strategiclayering of the building elements during construction. Capping platescan be arranged to surround the internal surfaces of the opening formedfor receiving a window frame. Tie bars from lower and upper cappingplates are then connected into the base beam and capping beamrespectively so that the opening in the wall has relatively minimaleffect on the overall strength.

In connection with the manufacturing process of a geopolymer concretematerial suitable for use with the present invention, a Fly Ash (FA) andGround Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) are used together withaggregates and either Potassium Silicate and Potassium Hydroxide or theSodium alternatives. After mixing these are then cured, e.g for 24 hoursin ambient temperatures and then further cured at 600 C for 24 hours.This formula provides not only a high compressive strength of >50 MPa,but also a manageable material that is able to be accuratelymanufactured to the desired shape and size.

The GPC production process is intended to be operated in a relativelysmall production facility on a continuous 24/7 basis.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with therelevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather thanlimiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosedembodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fallwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A building element comprised of: an insulating core material; andouter panels formed from geopolymer concrete located directly againstopposite sides of the insulating core material; wherein the insulatingcore material includes a surface feature on a side edge thereof, a sideedge being a surface of the insulating core material not locateddirectly against an outer panel, for, in use, providing interconnectionwith a corresponding surface feature on an adjoining side edge of corematerial of an adjacent building element; and wherein the outer panelsare bonded and/or fastened to opposite sides of the core material in anoffset configuration providing an overhang with at least one side edgeof the core material, for an adjacent building element to, in use,interconnect therewith.
 2. The building element of claim 1, wherein aside edge of the core material, opposite to the overhang, is exposedfrom between the outer panels.
 3. The building element of claim 1,wherein there is an overhang over two side edges of the core material.4. The building element of claim 1, wherein the insulating core materialis a brick shape.
 5. The building element of claim 1, wherein theinsulating core material is formed from polystyrene.
 6. The buildingelement of claim 1, wherein the surface feature is a series of ridges,longitudinally or laterally.
 7. The building element of claim 6, whereinthe surface feature is located on an upper side edge and lower side edgeof the core material such that, in use, stacked building elementsinterconnect with each other.
 8. The building element of claim 1,wherein the insulating core material is bonded to the outer panels by anadhesive.
 9. The building element of claim 1, wherein the insulatingcore material is fastened between the outer panels by a fastening rod orpin extending laterally from a first panel to a second panel, throughthe core material.
 10. The building element of claim 1, wherein theinsulating core material includes at least one bore therethrough, forreceiving a tie bar or fastening rod.
 11. A system of buildingconstruction, implementing a plurality of building elements according toclaim 1, wherein: the plurality of building elements are arranged withside edges of the core material abutting to assemble a wall.
 12. Thesystem of building construction of claim 11, further including: a basebeam, upon which a first row of the plurality of building elements isarranged; and a capping beam located over the assembled wall; wherein atleast one tie bar is fixed to provide tension between the base beam andcapping beam for compression on the building elements.
 13. The system ofbuilding construction of claim 12, wherein a second level wall ofbuilding elements is assembled upon the capping beam and a further levelcapping beam is located over the second level wall, including a tie barfixed to provide tension between the capping beam and further levelcapping beam for compression on the building elements.
 14. The system ofclaim 12, wherein a plurality of walls are constructed, forming abuilding structure, each wall including a base beam and a capping beam,the base beams being connected to form a base ring beam and the cappingbeams being connected to form a capping ring beam.
 15. The system ofclaim 12, wherein an opening for a window is formed in the wall, beingsurrounded by a plurality of building elements, and including a cappingplate at at least one edge of the opening, wherein at least one tie baris fixed to provide tension between the capping plate and the base beamand/or capping beam.
 16. The system of claim 12, further including endpiece and/or corner elements to cooperate with an edge of one or more ofthe plurality of building elements, to provide an adjoinment with anadjacent wall.